- DIPHU — Krishi
Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Karbi Anglong, in collaboration with the Department of
Agronomy and AICRP on Weed Management, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat,
conducted a one-day demonstration on production of compost from parthenium in
Amlokhi village on May 9.
- Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Monuj Kumar Doley, head
of KVK, spoke on the objectives of the programme, followed by speech Dr. Kalyan
Pathak, head of Agronomy, who emphasised the detrimental effects of alien
invasive weed parthenium hysterophorus, which causes dermatitis, hay fever,
asthma and bronchitis in human beings and allergy in cattle.
- Dr. Khagen Kurmi, professor of Agronomy, spoke on control
and management of parthenium weed and preparation of compost, while Dr. Manas
Jyoti Barooah, PI of AICRP on farm implements and machinery, spoke on
preparation of biochar from parthenium and its uses in crop production.
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- Dr. Milon Jyoti Konwar, scientist at AAU, Jorhat, explained
about the yield loss in agricultural crops due to parthenium as well as its
allergic effects on cattle and negative impacts on grazing lands.
- It was followed by a practical demonstration on compost
preparation from parthenium, which was discussed by Prakshipta Boruah, SMS
(Agronomy) and Monuj Pegu, farm manager at KVK Karbi Anglong.
- The inputs required for compost preparation are dry cow
dung, chopped banana pseudostem and leaves, paddy straw, parthenium plants
without flowers, which becomes ready for use after about 60 days.
- Besides, vermi-beds were also distributed to the self help
groups of the village.
- A total of 20 farmers and farm women attended the programme.
